Relational, not magic

Tuesday April 3rd, Luke 22: 14 When it was time, he sat down, all the apostles with him, 15 and said, "You've no idea how much I have looked forward to eating this Passover meal with you before I enter my time of suffering. 16 It's the last one I'll eat until we all eat it together in the kingdom of God."17 Taking the cup, he blessed it, then said, "Take this and pass it among you. 18 As for me, I'll not drink wine again until the kingdom of God arrives."19 Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory."20 He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you. The Passover, the celebration of freedom is the root of our communion service. Freedom from all that enslaves you, from all that holds you back and makes you afraid. Freedom from sin, both those committed and those many that fall under the heading of things left undone. The bread is not magic, the wine is not magic, the ceremony is not magic, it is the sharing of them with God and with one another that is relational. When we gather for communion, God is there with us. When we eat out in a restraint with friends and family, God is there with us. When we gather around the table at home with family, God is with us. In each setting we are called into relationship with God who is present with us. In each setting we are called into relationship with those who are present with us. Most importantly, through the miracle of God’s presence, in each setting we are called into relationship with those who are not with us. It is less a celebration of freedom from as a celebration of freedom for.